Table 1
Table 1. Summary of work carried out on the effects of Si on abiotic stresses

Abiotic Stress
Work on ameliorative effects of Si
Understanding of mechanism(s) of Si effect
Temperature
(a) High
+
+
(b) Chilling
-
-
(c) Freezing
+
+
Physical stress
(a) Wind
++
++
Light intensity
(a) High light
-
-
(b) Low light
+
+
Radiation
-
-
Drought
-
-
Waterlogging (anaerobiosis)
-
-
Mineral deficiency
(a) Of Si itself
+++
++
(b) Of other elements
+
+
Mineral toxicity
(a) Salinity
++
+
(b) Heavy metals
++
+
(c) Manganese
++
++
(d) Aluminium
+++
+++

Key: +++, considerable; ++, moderate; +, some; -, little/none.